World of Warcraft and Call of Duty revenues shrink for Activision

Strong sales for Skylanders and Diablo III help to reduce contraction.

Activision's Q2 2012 financial results have revealed a contraction in revenue from heavy hitters Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, reports GamesIndustry.

Revenues for the first half of 2012 are down year on year by 6.8 per cent to €1.731 billion, but Q2 sales are actually up year on year by €41 million to €837. However, take into account a constant currency rate and that 5.2 per cent sales increase is turned into a 6.2 per cent decline.

World of Warcraft's revenue slump is attributed to lower subscriptions (now at nine million) and catalogue sales, but there was no word on why "revenues related to Call of Duty digital offerings and catalogue were lower compared to the same period last year".

Revenues from Diablo III are yet to be felt as these have been deferred in line with regulations on online income.

And despite the reported decline Activision believes its Q3 and Q4 slate (Mists of Pandaria, Skylanders Giants and Black Ops II) is strong enough to bump its EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization) from €750 to €800 for the financial year.